The Human Tragedy

Thus said Satan in his heart. Meantime, as the shades of evening were lengthening along the base of the hills and the cottage chimneys were smoking for the evening meal, the holy man Giovanni issued from out the wood where he was wont to pray, and turned into the road leading to Santa Maris degli Angeli saying: ÒMy house is the house of joy and delight, because it is the house of poverty.Ó

And seeing Fra Giovanni wending his way homewards, Satan thought: ÒLo! here is one of those men I have come to tempt;Ó - and drawing his black cloak over his head, he advanced along the high road, which was bordered with terebinths, to meet the holy man.

Now Satan had made himself like a widow-woman with a veil, and when he had joined Fra Giovanni, he put on a honeyed voice and asked an alms of him, saying: ÒGive me an alms for the love of Him who is your friend, and whom I am not worthy so much as to name.Ó

And Fra Giovanni answered: ÒIt happens so, I have with me a little silver cup a nobleman of the countryside gave me, to have it melted down and used for the Altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli. You may take that, lady; and I will go tommorrow and ask the nobleman to let me have another of the same weight for the Blessed Virgin. Thus will his wishes be accomplished, and over and above, you will have gotten an alms for the love of God.Ó